PBA ReporterAbuja Federal High Court on Thursday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Godswill Akpabio as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom North/West senatorial district in the 2023 election.
The issue of Akpabio’s senatorial candidacy has been a subject of controversy. APC submitted the name of Akpabio as the candidate but the INEC rejected it, stating that he was not among the aspirants that participated in the primary election. as INEC had insisted that it did not monitor any primary election conducted by the APC in which the former governor emerged as the winner.
The party had conducted a primary election that produced Udom Udo Ekpoudom as the party’s candidate for the senatorial district but later held a different primary that saw Akpabio also emerge.
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However, in the Thursday ruling, the court ordered INEC to accept and publish Akpabio’s name as APC senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North/West senatorial district in 2023.
Justice Emeka Nwite held that INEC acted illegally by refusing to accept and publish Akpabio’s name after it was sent by APC.
Recall that both Akpabio and senate president, Ahmad Lawan had participated in the presidential primary that saw Tinubu win the ticket. While Akpabio stepped down for Tinubu at the convention ground, Lawan continued with the race until he lost to Tinubu.
Both of them, however, went ahead to push for senatorial tickets of their respective districts and were listed as senatorial candidates by the APC, which INEC rejected.
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